Tucked in the thick wooded, northern slope of Cougar Mountain, this cedar clad house works in synergy with the natural environment. The 4,100 sf house was designed with a northwest modern palette of simple materials and a great deal of collaboration with the clients – three good friends who wanted to try their hands at property development.

Siting the house on a very steep slope combined with water runoff and drainage issues posed the biggest challenges with this project. Using the natural topography as an advantage, the house is separated into an entertainment block and a sleeping block, connected by a windowed sitting area bridge that spans over a seasonal stream. A guest house over a garage sits below the main house with large sandstone steps connecting the two. The result is a cozy retreat in the forest, not far from the city of Seattle.

LOCATION Cougar Mountain, WA
AREA 4,100 SF
COMPLETED 2004
PHOTOGRAPHY Will Austin

AWARDS + RECOGNITION
2009 May/June, 425 Magazine